From George Washington to William Stoy, 17 March 1798
To William Stoy
Mount Vernon 17th Mar. 1798
Sir,
Your letter of the 28th Ulto came safe, but was sometime longer than might have been expected, on its way.
As I think your charge for the prescription & application to Christopher (my servant), who was supposed to be bitten by a mad dog, is a very reasonable one, I send you enclosed a five dollar bank note of Alexandria (having no other paper money by me); without enquiring whether your not having received four dollars before, proceeded from the neglect of the Servant, or any other person.
Christopher continues to do well, & I believe is now free from apprehension of any bad consequences from the bite. I shall beg to be informed of your receipt of this letter, being unwilling that you should go unpaid.1 I am Sir Your Very Hble Servant
Go: Washington
ALS (letterpress copy), NN: Washington Papers.
1. Stoy replied on 6 July: “According to your earnest and strict request in your letter of march last past I acknowlegde the receipt thereof and of the inclosed Alex[andri]a Bank note of five dollars. I did not write to you for money: for that would have been too trifling and mean. I would not wish to stand in any mans estimation as a cheat and a cheating bankrupt Slough in Lancaster Shall not defame me, & I still hope your Servant Christopher is not intimate with Sloughs villainy. & therefore I Should have been glad of & satisfied with your enquiring into the matter” (DLC:GW).